Mountthe Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles Summer/Fall 2007 Chasing Memories Brain Research at the Mount
Homecoming Rockefeller Winners MBA Launch
68592 themount.indd i 7/3/07 5:30:36 PM from the president
Dear Reader,
This has been a year of blessings, successes, and milestones for the Mount. Let me count the ways. We celebrated our 2007 graduates at a commencement ceremony on May 14 at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, Calif. We welcomed them all into the family of Mount alums. (For more information, see the story on page 3.) The College plans to launch its seventh graduate program—a master’s in business administration in the fall of 2008. Students will move through the new MBA program as a cohort in a convenient weekend timeframe. (See page 5.) Two of our current students have been awarded the prestigious Rockefeller Brothers Fund 2007 Fellowships for Aspiring Teachers of Color. This brings our total number of winners to 28 deserving students—more than any other institution in the country. (See page 4.) This year the nursing program is celebrating 55 years of excellence. The Mount was the first in the state to offer a baccalaureate degree in nursing in 1952. To celebrate—and increase nursing scholarships—our Regents Council will host “A Big Band Evening Under the Stars!” on September 29. This gala dinner and dance will honor the Nursing Department, and philanthropist and former LA Mayor Richard Riordan, a longtime friend of the Mount. Please join us. (See pages 3 and 17.) The College is 82 years strong this year, and on Founder’s Day, October 13, we are hosting our annual Homecoming for alums with the theme, “Mount Connections—Then and Now.” This year’s event will feature tours of new and upgraded facilities throughout our Chalon Campus. (See page 8.) I am pleased to announce we are more than halfway toward meeting the $1 million Kresge Challenge. This “all or nothing” grant challenges all of us—from students and alums to faculty and staff—to raise $4 million by June 30, 2008. When we meet this goal, the foundation will award its $1 million to the College’s Invest in the Mount campaign. Special kudos to the graduating Class of 2007 which raised more than $9,000 in its senior year for the Mount Fund. (See page 23.) Finally, I would like to thank all of you for your continued support, well wishes, and involvement with the Mount. We simply could not do it without you.
With warm regards,
Jacqueline Powers Doud
68592 themount.indd ii 7/10/07 4:05:40 PM contents
page 18
page 3
page 11
page 3 :_Xj`e^D\dfi`\j College News Faculty-student research aims to understand how the brain works. page 12 page 4 From the Faculty
page 9 8:_Xcc\e^\kfC\X[ In Brief Mount students talk about what leadership means to them. page 11 page 18 Showcase
page 22 Campaign Update
ON THE COVER: page 24 Professor Jennifer Chotiner and Tiffany McGrew ’07 Alum Community Photograph by Rick Mendoza
page 31 Reflections
page 32 Calendar
Summer/Fall 2007 The Mount 1
WKHPRXQWLQGG 30 in the moment
Mountthe
Summer/Fall 2007 Vol. 23, No. 1
EDITOR Marie Blakey
MANAGING EDITOR Sarah Moore
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Joanna Banks
CLASS NOTES EDITOR Barbara Dummel Brunner ’63
DESIGN San Luis Design
PHOTOGRAPHY Glenn Cratty, Glenn Marzano, Rick Mendoza, Sarah Moore, MSMC Archives
PRINTING Pace Lithographers, Inc.
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Sister Annette Bower, CSJ, ’59 Lois Dunne Sister Joseph Adele Edwards, CSJ, ’58 Kimberly Fine Magruder ’01 Claire Matranga Noland ’87 Reverend George O’Brien Jeanne Redell Ruiz ’63
MISSION STATEMENT Mount St. Mary’s College offers a dynamic learning experience in the liberal arts and sciences to a diverse student body. As a Catholic college primarily for women, we are dedicated A graduate quietly reads the program, minutes before walking the stage. to providing a superior education enhanced by an emphasis on building leadership skills and fostering a spirit to serve others. Our measure of success is graduates who are committed to using their knowledge and skills to better themselves, their environments, and the world.
The Mount is published by Mount St. Mary’s College.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Mount, 10 Chester Place, Los Angeles, CA 90007.
To contact the editor or submit a story idea, write to Marie Blakey, director of public relations, Mount St. Mary’s College, 10 Chester Place, Los Angeles, CA, 90007; email mblakey@ msmc.la.edu; or call 213.477.2505. Class Notes news should be mailed to Alumnae Relations at the same address or emailed to jruiz@msmc. la.edu.
For Information Alumnae Relations 213.477.2767 Business Office 310.954.4040 Chalon Campus 310.954.4000 Doheny Campus 213.477.2500 Financial Aid 310.954.4190 Graduate Admission 213.477.2800 Institutional Advancement 213.477.2764 Undergraduate Admission 310.954.4250 Weekend College 213.477.2866
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Gala Fundraiser to Address Nursing Shortage n September 29, 2007, OMount St. Mary’s College and its Regents Council will host “A Big Band Evening Under the Stars!” to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Nursing Department and to raise funds for nursing student scholarships. The event will also honor philanthropist and former LA Mayor Richard Riordan, who has worked to raise awareness of California’s current nursing shortage at the state level and Congratulations, 2007 filmed by C-SPAN and aired on the has supported initiatives to Mount Graduates Saturday night program “American increase the number of people he Mount celebrated its graduates Perspectives” in late May. entering the nursing profession. Tat commencement on May 14 at Boyle said developing a sense of The celebratory auction, the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal kinship with everyone will help inspire dinner, and dance will take City, Calif. The ceremony honored peace in the world. “There is an idea place at the College’s downtown graduates of the College’s associate, that there just might be lives out there Doheny Campus. All proceeds bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and that matter less than other lives—and will benefit the Mount’s certificate programs. you choose to stand against that idea. nursing scholarships. For more Commencement speaker Father Good for you,” he said. information, contact Heather Greg Boyle, SJ, founder and executive Another highlight of the Schraeder, director of special director of Jobs For A Future/Homeboy commencement ceremonies was events, at 213.477.2761 or Industries, shared his experiences the presentation of the Carondelet [email protected]. working with at-risk youth and Medals, the College’s highest honor. urged graduates to value every This year’s recipients were David At press time, the College life—to help each soul feel its worth. McIntyre, a distinguished trustee received a grant to start a Boyle’s organization includes an and longtime friend of the College new ADN-to-MSN Bridge economic development program and who passed away in January; and the Program. See related story employment referral services in Los Rev. Matthew S. Delaney, professor on page 22. Angeles’ Boyle Heights community. emeritus of mathematics, and former “Imagine a circle of compassion academic dean and chief academic and imagine nobody standing outside officer at MSMC. that circle, and to that end your task Delivering the College’s as you go forth from this place is to baccalaureate class tribute was stand with those on the margins and Christina Sundermeier ’07, who earned to stand with those whose dignity her bachelor of arts in psychology with has been denied,” said Boyle, who an emphasis in counseling and a minor was awarded an honorary degree, in religious studies. Sundermeier doctor of humane letters. “Insist plans to pursue a master’s degree in that nobody stands outside the circle theological studies. of compassion.” His speech was
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the difference she could from make in her East Los Angeles neighborhood the faculty as the student body president at Garfield Matthew Brossamer, assistant High School. She professor of English, authored organized free, after- two chapters, “The Consolation of school tutoring for low- Philosophy of Boethius” and “The income children and got Confessions of St. Augustine,” for to know their families— Classical Literature and Its Times, her neighbors—better. the eighth volume in the series “A teacher must be World Literature and Its Times. willing to make time to Monica Arellano (left) and Claudia Luz Barraza help children deal with Deniz Cizmeciyan, associate whatever challenges they professor of physical sciences and Two Win Rockefeller face,” said Arellano, a middle child in mathematics, published “²H NMR Fellowships a family of eight. and X-ray diffraction studies of wo future teachers studying at For Barraza, the message she got methyl rotation in crystals of Tthe Mount have been awarded from the Boyle Heights neighborhood thomethyldibenzocycloalkanones” prestigious Rockefeller Brothers Fund where she grew up was that college in Solid State Nuclear 2007 Fellowships for Aspiring Teachers may not be for her. “I had to deal with Magnetic Resonance. of Color. Each year, only about 25 the stereotype that I wasn’t going to students across the nation are given amount to anything because of where Deborah Diaz, assistant fellowships. Founded in 1992, the goal I was from,” said Barraza, who now professor of physical therapy, of the fellowships is to increase the lives in Alhambra, Calif. “I want to presented “Evidence Based number of highly qualified teachers of give people the motivation to achieve Practice Faculty Development color in K-12 public education in the their dreams.” Barraza said she plans Workshop: Comparison of United States. to teach history at San Gabriel’s San a two-day course to online MSMC child development major Gabrielino High School, from which programming” at the National Monica Arellano and history major she graduated. Physical Therapy Conference Claudia Luz Barraza, then juniors, in Boston in February 2007. were selected for their passionate MA in Humanities commitment to teaching in urban Graduates First Class schools. he College celebrated the MA MSMC was among 16 colleges and Tin Humanities Program’s first universities nationwide invited to offer class of 17 graduates in spring 2007. candidates for the fellowship. Since The program began in 2004 with 43 1992, 28 Mount students have been students and by last spring grew to awarded fellowships—more than any 108 students in three concentrations: other institution in the country. English, cultural studies, and history/ Arellano and Barraza developed political science. and implemented education-related The program grows again in summer projects and will present their fall 2007 with a creative writing projects at a workshop in Washington, concentration. Faculty in this new area D.C. They also will receive up to include novelist and MSMC English $22,100 in financial assistance to professor Marcos M. Villatoro, and attend graduate school. Kate Gale, a poet as well as founding Arellano got her first glimpse at editor and director of Red Hen Press.
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MSMC Launches studies show an increasing demand for MBA Program part-time MBA programs, the Mount’s from he Mount will launch a Master’s MBA program is believed to be the Tin Business Administration only one in the region offering all its the faculty Program beginning in fall 2008 in a class work on weekends only. weekend format for junior- and mid- Each incoming class will form a Robin Gordon, the College’s level professionals seeking career cohort of 20 to 30 students, moving director of secondary education, advancement. Faculty member Janet together through a richly integrated had her article “Making Use of Robinson has been selected to lead curriculum that will culminate in the Story to Teach Mathematics and the program as its first director. MBA degree after 4 semesters (or 15 Science” published in spring “This new graduate business months) of advanced business courses. 2007 in The Ladder, an in-house program builds on the strengths of The cross-disciplinary courses will publication for Los Angeles faculty in the Business Administration give students a big-picture view of Unified School District. Department,” said Provost Eleanor how various theories and disciplines Siebert, “and will join the Mount’s blend together in a real business Alan Lee, assistant professor current six graduate degree programs environment. of physical therapy, presented designed to promote leadership and The launch of the MBA program “Embracing a New Lifestyle After foster a spirit of service to others.” will bring the number of graduate Gastric Bypass: A Multidisciplinary Aimed at attracting students in programs at the Mount to seven. Approach to Post-operative their 30s and 40s at a time when Exercise Program in Acute Care Setting” at the National Physical Therapy Conference in Boston in Students Speak in Sacramento February 2007. wo Mount St. Mary’s College students visited Sacramento in March to Tparticipate in Lobby Day, an annual event sponsored by the Association Deborah Lowe, assistant of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU). professor and chair of the Speaking on behalf of their fellow Cal Grant students—and the College— Department of Physical Therapy, were Karen Navarrete, a senior from Bell Gardens, Calif., and Isabelle Morales, presented “Comparison of a sophomore from Carson, Calif. While in the state capital, they met with Two Types of Evidence Based Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, Assemblyman Mike Davis, and Assemblyman Practice Faculty Development Mike Fuer, as well as numerous education staff. Workshops” at the National The Mount was one of 17 Physical Therapy Conference colleges and universities that in Boston in February 2007. sent students to the capital to tell their personal stories and talk with legislators about the need for continuing and strengthening the Cal Grant program. In the independent college sector, the program serves many students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education. Both Cal Grant A and Cal Grant B awards are based on academic merit as Isabelle Morales (left) and Karen Navarrete well as financial need.
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Mount Answers from ‘Invitation to Serve’ Richard C. Seaver, 85, n March, Mount St. Mary’s College Dies the faculty Ihosted its first annual Invitation to t press time, the College Serve, a campus-wide event bringing Awas saddened to learn of Linda Moody, dean of graduate students, faculty, staff, alums, and the loss of Richard C. Seaver programs, published “Ethical friends of the College together on June 10, 2007. The son of Quandaries: When Scholarship IS in a day of service. More than 50 Frank Seaver (Chester Place Activism and Academic Freedom volunteers partnered with St. Joseph resident and benefactor to is Under Attack” in Ethics and Center in Santa Monica, the Midnight the Mount), Richard Seaver Activism in spring 2007. Mission in Los Angeles, and Million was chairman of the Seaver Trees LA to help make a difference in Institute, from whom the Mount Marsha Sato, director of the community. received $3.6 million for the the Master of Science in Invest in the Mount campaign. Nursing Program, co-wrote a refl ection piece on the Roy Adaptation Model discussing Students Get Inside Look new assumptions for the 21st at Congress century. The article appears ount junior Kathleen in Nursing Science Quarterly, MCastellanos traveled all Vol. 20, No. 1. around the world with her military family, but she was awed in March Wanda Teays, chair of the when she met women who had Department of Philosophy, reached the highest levels of participated as an expert at a government in the United States. two-day symposium in March “I’m so grateful the Mount offers at California State University, this opportunity,” said Castellanos, Roberta M. Allen ’64 at the Midnight Mission Fullerton, on “Confronting who spent her 2007 spring break Torture: Perspectives and Moral “Mount students regularly in Washington, D.C., at the Public Issues.” Teays also authored participate in service through the Leadership Education Network’s “Detainees as Patients: College’s Office of Community (PLEN) Women and Congress Seminar, Torture and Public Health” in Engagement and Office of Campus sponsored by the Women’s College International Public Health Ethics. Ministry,” said Bernadette Robert ’77, Coalition. “My dad always says he can assistant vice president of student see me in public service some day, so affairs. “Rarely do they get the meeting the women in Congress was opportunity to work side-by-side with motivating and encouraging to me.” faculty, staff, and alums.” Castellanos and seven other The volunteers were given a choice Mount students joined peers of three activities: painting the infant- from 16 other women’s colleges toddler room at the center, serving across the country to meet with lunch at the mission, or planting trees congressional representatives and in the neighborhoods surrounding the observe firsthand how the federal Doheny Campus. government operates. For nearly Mount St. Mary’s College currently two decades, the Mount’s Women’s works with 35 high schools and 32 Leadership Program has been sending other community partners to serve young women with a particular people and communities across the interest in U.S. policy to the capital. greater Los Angeles area.
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Farewell to Over the years, New Trustees Friend of College the Fritz B. Burns Join Board he Mount community was Foundation he Mount’s Board of Trustees Tsaddened by the loss of Ken has supported Trecently named two new Skinner, executive vice president of the the College members: Joan Otomo-Corgel and Fritz B. Burns Foundation and a valiant generously Maria Gutierrez Ott ’70, ’78M. supporter of the College. Skinner through student Otomo-Corgel is currently passed away on April 30, 2007. scholarships and adjunct assistant professor at Skinner was well known for his capital campaign gifts. The foundation the UCLA School of Dentistry, personal commitment to the many also endowed a faculty chair in Department of Periodontics; causes championed by the Fritz B. education. Most recently, the College faculty and chair of research Burns Foundation, including Mount was the recipient of a $2.5 million at the Greater Los Angeles St. Mary’s College. “Ken Skinner was gift towards the new Doheny Campus VA Health Care Center Dental a long-time and loyal friend of the parking structure. Service; and faculty at West LA Mount,” said President Jacqueline “Ken always knew where he City College’s Dental Hygiene Powers Doud. “He was a gentleman in stood,” said Mike Enright, chair of the Department. In 1993, Otomo- every respect, always straightforward, Board of Trustees. “He was straight Corgel was appointed by Gov. a man of impeccable integrity. We as an arrow and didn’t suffer fools. Pete Wilson to a seven-year shall miss him but remain forever Underneath all this, was a very gentle term on the California State grateful for the way in which he and kind man.” University Board of Trustees. She and his wife, Joyce, participated A dedicated leader and community lectures extensively on a wide in many College events and for advocate, Skinner worked with the range of periodontal topics and Ken’s faithful work for us through Fritz B. Burns Foundation for more has contributed to more than the Fritz B. Burns Foundation.” than 50 years. 50 journals and medical texts. Otomo-Corgel earned a doctorate in dental surgery and a master’s in public health at UCLA. College Names Ott is currently the New Regents superintendent of the Rowland he College welcomed Unified School District. Prior T17 new members to the to joining Rowland Unified, Regents Council in May. Ott served five years as the Pictured above, standing senior deputy superintendent (l to r): Richard Belardi, in the Los Angeles Unified Angela M. Stern ’81, Jim School District. Ott earned Belanic, Peggy Starr ’64. her bachelor’s and master’s Seated (l to r): Mickey in education at the Mount Payne ’64, Sharon Leahy and completed her doctoral ’60, Georgia Belardi ’55. program at USC, majoring in Not pictured: Glen Banken, educational policy, planning, Sheila Banken ’53, Marilyn and administration. In 2005, she Belanic ’79, Barbara Brunner was awarded the Outstanding ’63, Elaine Camuti ’69, Alumna Award for Professional Leleka Doonquah ’89, Jean Achievement by the Mount’s Marie Moynier ’62, Judy Alumnae Association. (See page Page ’61, Mary Lou Weidlich 10 to read about her most recent ’62, and Judith Zaylor. award from La Opinión.)
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Homecoming 2007: Celebrate Mount Homecoming Workshops for One and All Connections n Saturday, October 13, 2007, The Evolving Role of Women Ocome celebrate “Mount Presented by Dr. Patricia Ash, Chair of the History and Political Connections—Then and Now.” Science Department—Among the areas considered are politics, Homecoming and reunions business, culture, family relationships, gender roles and offer the perfect opportunity expectations, and the race/gender nexus. to come home to the Mount, to remember good times and Fun With Flavors good friends, and to see what is Presented by Francisco Alvarez, Executive Chef, Bon Appetit happening at the College today. Catering—Learn hands on how the four components of a The day will include: great recipe (sweet, sour, bitter and salt) can help you make • Workshops (for details, see right) something creative out of what you have in your cupboard. • Founders Day Mass celebrated by The workshop will also include shortcuts to a germ-free Rev. George O’Brien environment and the proper way to use “tools of the trade” • Reunions for the Classes of 1962, like the pros. 1967, 1972, 1977, 1987, 1992, 1997, and 2002, with a special Knaves or Knights: Who is in Your Family Tree? commemoration for the members Presented by Richard McKnight, Director of the Regional Family of the 25th Silver Anniversary History Center—Genealogy can help you trace your family’s Class of 1982 roots. Learn from an expert how to begin your search, how to • Reception for business majors incorporate oral history into your search, and what the next to celebrate the MBA program steps are. You will also find out what tools you will need and launch how to access them. • Receptions for Golden Grads, Weekend College, the Latina African Drumming and Rhythmic Dance Alumnae network, and non- Presented by Kimberly Pagget Willis, Choreographer and Artistic reunion alums Director of Izibonga Dance Company—Immerse yourself in • Tours of newly renovated Brady West African dance and drumming as you move to traditional Hall, upgraded dorms, the drum rhythms from Guinea, Nigeria, and Senegal. You will administration building, and learn the historical elements of West African dance techniques, science labs ceremonial meanings, and songs. • Music in the Circle • Student Club “meet and greets” Kindred by Octavia Butler: A Book Discussion • Gala dinner followed by Presented by Scott Bryson, Associate Professor, English presentation of the 2007 Department—We are thrilled to have Scott back with us again. Outstanding Alumnae Awards If you like books that keep you guessing and make you think, and first-ever Rising Star Award then go get Octavia Butler’s Kindred, a fast-paced page-turner with a deep historical awareness. Read it and come discuss it For information about with us. We’ll all bring our thoughts and questions. Homecoming, call 213.477.2767 or go to www.msmcalums.la.edu/ Personal Finance: Steps to Financial Freedom Homecoming2007. Presented by Jim Kelly, Adjunct Faculty MSMC Business Department—Learn how the Internet can help you manage key areas of budgeting, saving, investing, security and identity theft, credit scores, and more.
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in brief Growing a Legacy There’s a new tradition at A Winning Equation the Doheny Campus—the The Doheny Campus played host to Legacy Project. Through the more than 230 middle-school girls inspiration and leadership and 60 adults at the Expanding Your of sophomore ASB Senator Horizons in Science and Mathematics Ashlee Enriquez (pictured), Career Conference in March. Mount associate of arts graduates in faculty and staff helped lead the Class of 2007 were the numerous workshops for the girls first to take part in the new and their parents. The conference project by leaving a special aims to increase girls’ interest in gift to the College. This math and science—and help expand year’s gift was a Strawberry their future career options. This Snowball Dombeya tree, 28th annual event was sponsored which was planted in May by Math/Science Interchange, a on the west lawn of the nonprofit organization dedicated Doheny Mansion. to promoting science and math education for girls.
Jeopardy! Champion for a Day Mount alumna Kate Hartsfield Zimmermann ’99 spent one day in April as Jeopardy! game show champion. Zimmermann, a political
Taxing Relief Top-Notch Theses Business students from the Mount This last academic year, three offered free tax preparation services graduates completed a Senior last March and April for elderly Honors Thesis, a major research and low-income residents near the project which examines a topic from Doheny Campus. The students, who the perspectives of two disciplines. are certified volunteers under the science grad who is now a deputy Congratulations to Ammee Amboya Volunteer Income Tax Assistance district attorney in Kern (Calif.) for “Women and Science: Biological (VITA) program, all take a VITA County, was named Jeopardy! Possibility and Pioneers at Mount course at the College as part of their winner with $4,100 after her first St. Mary’s College,” Jenny Park business studies. The tax assistance— night on the show. The returning for “Redemption Through Christ: offered in English and Spanish—was champ finished the next night A Symbolic Look at Flannery sponsored by the Internal Revenue in second place with $8,500. She O’Connor’s Wise Blood,” and Sue- Service. took home $2,000 for her second- Ellen Quan for “Our Dwindling place showing, as only first-place Youth.” contestants keep their winnings.
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A Legal Future MSMC’s chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta pre-law society hosted attorneys from major law firms in the spring for a discussion on law 24 school, daily life as a lawyer, and bachelor of arts majors career options students can pursue with a law degree. 8 Sign of the Times associate in arts majors This winter, visitors to the Chalon Campus were greeted by a new 6 entrance sign. Here’s a look at the bachelor of science majors Mount’s very fi rst sign (1932) and the La Opinión Honors Alumna latest: Trustee Maria Gutierrez Ott ’70, 6 ’78M, was honored with La Opinión’s master’s programs Mujeres Destacadas Award for her work as an education advocate. Her 4 distinguished career exemplifies a nursing programs commitment to improving education in Los Angeles area schools, with an emphasis on diversity. (See related 1 story on page 7.) doctoral program
Oxygen Network Sociologists Are Us The Mount was featured briefly on Three Mount sociology students a TV show on the Oxygen Network presented research in June at called “Her Domain.” As part of its a National Women’s Studies coverage of education and careers Association conference in Chicago for women, the segment included titled Past Debates, Present President Jacqueline Powers Doud, Possibilities, Future Feminisms. The students were Kristen Lee, a documentary fi lm and social justice major who presented “An CSJ Jubilarians Celebrate Ethnographic Study of Contemporary The Mount congratulates the Dating in Los Angeles;” Aida following sisters on their jubilee Martinez, a sociology major who anniversaries: Sr. Barbara Cotton, presented “Women’s Advocacy Sr. Mary Flanagan, Sr. Roseagnes and Educational Equity in the Haskins, Sr. Marylouis Markel ’48, Caribbean: An Undergraduate and Sr. Patricia Zins for 60 years, and along with faculty and several Research Experience;” and Sue Quan, Sr. Mona Castelazo ’61, Sr. Imelda students, talking about the benefits a sociology major who presented D’Agostino ’58, Sr. Carroll Laubacher, of attending a women’s college— “Anorexia Nervosa and the Sr. Mary Murphy ’60, Sr. Margaret and Mount St. Mary’s in particular. Psychological Development of Young Mary Murray ’61, and Sr. Helen The show aired multiple times during Females.” Vincent Oswald ’56 for 50 years. the month of May.
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everal times a year, the Weekend College offers travel/ Sstudy courses to Mount St. Mary’s undergraduate and graduate students in exciting locals and destinations such as Asia, Europe, South America, Russia, and the Caribbean. Here, students share their favorite photos from their trips abroad. Pictured (clockwise from top) is Lucy Valdez in front of the Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia, Noreen Sullivan holding an orphan in the Dominican Republic, Laurel Venne ’07M riding a camel in China, and Holli Hudson ’07 posing by the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.
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68592 themount.indd Sec1:11 7/3/07 5:32:40 PPMM Chasing Memories A biology professor takes students on a quest to better understand brain functioning and health.
BY JOANNA BANKS
Being a brain researcher—especially one specializing in learning and memory—makes Jennifer Chotiner and her work at the College a magnet for people’s curiosity. Why, they ask, isn’t their memory as sharp as it used to be? Why does their elderly mother get confused doing simple tasks? And why have they never been good at remembering names? Chotiner, an assistant professor and interim chair of Mount St. Mary’s Biology Department, can answer all these questions and more, explaining how the brain physically creates new memories and connects thoughts with action.
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68592 themount.indd Sec1:13 7/10/07 4:06:01 PPMM a change in your nervous system of how the neurons are communicating PHOTO: GLENN CRATTY with one another,” Chotiner says in her Chalon Campus lab, examining proteins from mouse brain tissue using a high-powered imaging system. “When babies are learning to walk, for example, eventually the pathways Chotiner’s research also has serious implications for in their brains that are involved in a smooth gait are understanding how learning and memory break down due strengthened, and the other pathways which they don’t need to developmental problems, trauma, disease, and general [to walk well] are being toned down.” aging. To teach her students about the innter workings Later in life, Chotiner says, the most easily solidified of the brain, she uses both classroom discussion and lab and readily accessible memories are the ones based on experiments. So inspired, her students talk excitedly of the highly emotional events. Many Americans remember with prospect that their lab work may someday help the medical chilling detail what they did on 9/11, while other activities community learn how to repair memory loss or reduce the on the days before and after are basically forgotten, she trauma of spinal cord injuries. says. Likewise, it’s easy to pull from memory the flavors and texture of mom’s green bean casserole but to forget what was A Networking Feat for lunch just yesterday. Chotiner’s area of expertise is learning and memory “There are so many steps involved in storing and pathways within the brain. These pathways are created by accessing memories, it’s amazing we’re able to remember synapses that form connections between and within neurons, anything,” Chotiner says. “But over time, as we age, a slow the basic building blocks of the brain. degradation of general function takes place.” Specifically, Chotiner examines how genetic material In fact, outside of developmental disabilities or trauma is converted into proteins that are used to build more and brought on by accidents, human aging is the No. 1 better connections in the brain. When these connections factor in dulling brain power, says Chotiner, who spent are effectively combined into a network, it allows the brain three years studying ways to repair memory loss as a to recognize, say, the color red because a certain set of postdoctoral fellow at the Reeve-Irvine Research Center neurons have banded together to decode the particular visual at the University of California, Irvine. “As time goes on, a stimulation of “red.” huge number of things happen, including the build-up of When you try to learn something through practice and harmful chemicals in the brain called free radicals. Your repetition, she explains, you’re actually training your neurons DNA also starts to shrink,” she says. “As you get older, to communicate better. “When you learn or remember you’re not building [as many] synapses, and the neurons something—or generally adapt to your world—there is are dying.”
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68592 ThemountR1.indd Sec1:14 7/11/07 1:18:01 PPMM Dissecting Memories To better understand all these processes,
Chotiner and about 10 students meet several PHOTO: GLENN CRATTY hours a week in the lab to examine how—and why—neural connections are strengthened. Their work where proteins are examined with a machine that takes concentrates on a part of the brain called the hippocampus, chemical-luminescent pictures. In successful experiments, a horseshoe-shaped sheet of neurons located in the students can trace brain pathways by looking at changes temporal lobes. It is the area of the brain where scientists in protein to see whether the brain’s genetic material is believe memories are stored, although long-term memories, strengthened or protected at “active” synapses. such as those tied to extremely emotional events or those The findings from this research will be presented in deemed important enough to hold on to, are also stored in November 2007 at the Society for Neuroscience conference the cortex or outer layer of the brain for safe keeping. in San Diego. Chotiner and her students also will present To study actual brain connections in the lab, students findings from a second project looking at whether use a technique called western immunoblotting—a process the presence of different proteins varies based on lab
Brain Care 101 Want to keep your brain sharp—no matter what your • Eat a balanced diet: “Stay away from diets that limit age? Then heed the advice of Jennifer Chotiner, an your intake of certain foods,” Chotiner advises. “You assistant professor and interim chair of Mount St. Mary’s need a well-balanced diet of vitamins and minerals.” Biology Department, who has a few suggestions on how Antioxidants, such as blueberries, asparagus, and to reinforce your brain’s synaptic connections. green, leafy vegetables, are particularly good for your “The brain goes by the principle ‘use or lose it,’” she brain. “These foods are really high in antioxidants warns, “so if you’re not using it, you’ll lose it.” that destroy the build-up of toxic chemicals which can • Keep playing games: Keep your brain active by destroy your cellular structure.” engaging in thought-provoking activities, such as • Drink plenty of water: “If you don’t drink enough reading and, yes, those ever-challenging crossword water, your body tells you there is something wrong puzzles. Even just gardening, she says, will help keep and gives you the headache.” It is your brain’s way, she your brain cells firing. says, of letting you know it’s becoming dehydrated— • Exercise your body: Physical activity does more than and then making you do something about it. “You build muscles in your arms and legs. Moving your body think, ‘Oh, I’m having a headache… maybe I need to is a great way to build your brain power too because drink more water…’” it is your brain that has to work to control your body.
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68592 ThemountR1.indd Sec1:15 7/11/07 1:28:29 PPMM “Remember, your brain is always on. Your neural system is still working while you’re asleep, and that’s why information oftencomes to us in the middle of the night. You’ve been thinking about a problem all along.” —Assistant Professor Jennifer Chotiner
experiments or because of how the tissue is handled. Having this kind of hands-on lab time is a hallmark of the Mount’s science programs, which team students and professors for real, results-based research. “It’s exciting knowing that researching such a small part of the brain can bring about such huge results,” says Tiffany McGrew ’07, a biology major with a pre-med emphasis who worked in Chotiner’s lab for two years. “Our research can have results for how Alzheimer’s and amnesia are treated— or any type of head injury that has to do with memory.” Last year, McGrew presented a project analyzing how memories are made at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students. She also presented research at Equipping the Lab the Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Mount St. Mary’s is keeping its neurological science Research. research on the leading edge through funding from the Being involved in research projects and conferences College’s $45 million Invest in the Mount campaign. at the undergraduate level is a wonderful opportunity With help from The Kresge Foundation, the Mount for students, Chotiner notes. Such exposure is especially is constructing the new Neurological Plasticity and valuable because research into memory and learning is Aging Lab for research being conducted by Jennifer constantly evolving. Chotiner, an assistant professor and interim chair of Mount St. Mary’s Biology Department. Meaningful Discoveries Thanks to The Seaver Institute, the College For Chotiner, both teaching and research reap rewards. purchased and installed a chemiDocXRS imaging “On the small scale is the everyday excitement and system for the research. The machine enables researchers momentum that is generated by doing experiments,” she to visualize the florescence of labeled antibodies which says. “The largest successes are twofold: When the results bind to protein in brain tissue. all come together to make an exciting story that can be, The College also purchased a sliding microtome used and is, published; and when I’ve hooked a student enough to thinly slice frozen brain tissue from mice that is then to become excited and dedicated to the point where she mounted onto microscope slides for lab research. Up wants to continue on her own, with her own ideas and next on the shopping list is at least one high-powered questions.” microscope.
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68592 ThemountR1.indd Sec1:16 7/11/07 1:28:48 PPMM ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★
★ The gala dinner, dance, and auction will celebrate ★ ★ 55 years of nursing excellence and honor philanthropist and former LA Mayor★ ★ Richard Riordan, a supporter of nursing education and the★ Mount. There are many ways you can support ★ this exciting fundraising gala: ★ ★ ■ Individual Ticket $250 ★ ■ Single Table (10 seats) ★$2,500 ■ Sponsorships* Platinum Title Sponsor★ $25,000★ ★ Gold Sponsor $10,000 Silver Sponsor $5,000 Bronze Sponsor $3,000 *Sponsorship packages include numerous benefits. ★ ★ ■ Tribute Journal (deadline August 31): Half Gold Page $2,500 ★ ★ ★Half Silver Page $1,500 Half Bronze Page $1,000 Quarter Page $500 ★ Special Listing $100 ★ ★ Student Listing $50 ★ Ready to get your ticket or become a sponsor? Have an item or service you can donate to the live or silent auctions? ★ Contact Heather Schraeder, director of special events, at 213.477.2761 or [email protected].★ ★ All proceeds will benefit nursing scholarships at the Mount. 17 Th e Mount www.msmc.la.edu Summer/Fall 2007 Th★ e Mount 17 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
68592 themount.indd Sec1:17 7/3/07 5:33:29 PM A Chall
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68592 themount.indd Sec1:18 7/10/07 4:06:10 PM llenge to Lead
At the Mount, students are encouraged to find their own, unique ways to be leaders.
By Sarah Moore
uilding leadership skills is a core value of Mount St. Mary’s College. It is at Bthe heart of the institution’s mission statement—and is front and center in the first goal of the College’s 2007-2012 Strategic Plan. One way the College helps develop future leaders is through the Women’s Leadership Program, a long-established component of a Mount education.
A New Vision Nurturing leaders is a campus-wide endeavor. To that end, each year a small group of incoming freshman is chosen by the Women’s Leadership Program to be leadership scholars. These students receive a scholarship, take a specialized leadership course, and organize community service projects. And according to Rosalyn Kempf, program director, the work starts Day One. “On the first day of orientation, I tell students ‘You are here because you are a leader,’” she says. “Students don’t have to be a leader just by being the president of a club. I want these young women to expand their vision of themselves.” As she explains, the College’s leadership program is designed to help them develop their potential in many areas, giving them a wide variety of new skills and experiences, and allowing them to see themselves as leaders. “I emphasize that no matter what area they are in—nursing, psychology or something else—they can be a leader in that field,” Kempf says. “We give them opportunities to explore and challenge themselves so that when they are out in the world, they know they can make a contribution.” The program also focuses on different aspects of leadership depending on the scholars’ class year. “With freshman and sophomores we emphasize personal and team leadership,” she reports. “Then when students reach their junior and senior years, we want them to apply what they know by taking a position on campus or PHOTOS: RICK MENDOZA in the community.
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68592 themount.indd Sec1:19 7/10/07 4:06:24 PM “Before I came to the Mount, I thought leadership meant that one person takes the lead, and I tried to be that person,” Ortiz says. “At MSMC, we’re taught that leadership is based on communication and facilitating the thoughts and ideas of others. Having others excited about my project and wanting to get involved allowed everyone to become a leader.” Ortiz planned to continue the project this summer with older children. “I want to do something in my community, and I am always motivated by everyone in the Women’s Leadership Program. They help in any way they can, even if it is just encouragement.” This sense of support and camaraderie has meant a lot to her, Ortiz says. “I was excited to be a leadership scholar because it meant that I had a group of people to relate to when I entered the Mount,” she says. “Knowing that I was already a part of something was empowering. I knew that I would have a lot of opportunities through the Women’s
Leticia Ortiz ’08 Leadership Program.” A Leader Among Many From Classroom to World All of her life, Leticia Ortiz, has been a part of other “I had been to city council meetings in Sun Valley, my people’s service projects—practically from the day she was hometown, but I wanted to learn about government on the born. “My older siblings were really involved in community national level,” says Christina Sundermeier, a senior scholar service, and they would bring me along to their events in 2006-07. To challenge herself, Sundermeier applied such as car washes and beach clean-ups,” says the junior to the Public Leadership Education Network’s (PLEN) leadership scholar. Women and Congress Seminar through the Women’s After two years in the scholar program, Ortiz planned Leadership Program. The resulting trip was an experience her own way to give back to her community. With the help she will never forget. of the Mount’s Women’s Leadership Program, in 2006 she For nearly two decades, the Women’s Leadership developed the Chiquitos Learning Arts Project to expose Program has been sending young women with a particular children to the arts. Over the course of seven weeks, Ortiz interest in U.S. policy to Washington, D.C., as part of taught Latin music and dancing to preschoolers in her PLEN. And each year, Mount students join peers from 16 hometown of Ojai, Calif. other women’s colleges across the country to meet with The community was so impressed with the Chiquitos congressional representatives and observe firsthand how the Project, that the Ojai Performing Arts Theater Academy federal government operates. became a sponsor and asked Ortiz to teach a special As a psychology major, Sundermeier is fascinated by the workshop for children ages 4-7 that the whole community components of social connections. Attending PLEN helped could attend. To help with this event, she then recruited her understand relationships on a whole new level. high school students from her alma mater as well as another “The PLEN experience gave me insight into the benefits Mount leadership scholar. of networking,” she says.
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68592 themount.indd Sec1:20 7/3/07 5:33:49 PPMM Christina Sundermeier ’07 Kathrine Hernandez ’08
Through the Women’s Leadership Program, Sundermeier Finding Her Voice has also been involved in the Leadership Boot Camp (a For Kathrine Hernandez, being a leadership scholar at the day-long group challenge activity), taken a leading role in Mount gave her the opportunity to learn about other parts community service activities, and presented at numerous of the College. conferences. “As a nursing major, my classes are straight sciences but “The Mount has given me a lot of opportunities to lead,” I wanted to be more well rounded,” Hernandez says. “And she says. “I think you learn leadership skills by knowing a lot the leadership scholars are from all majors, so I learned a lot about who you are inside and then building on those skills from them.” as you go along in life. That makes someone a powerful As a junior this past academic year, Hernandez was leader. encouraged to use this knowledge for the benefit of the “Because of my experience in the Women’s Leadership campus and chose to become an Admissions tour guide. In Program,” she adds, “I will leave the Mount with confidence this volunteer position, Hernandez led prospective students and with skills in communication, facilitation, networking, and their families on guided tours of the Chalon Campus. “I and organization that will help me the rest of my life.” love this school and sharing my experience with students,” Recognizing her skills, her fellow classmates chose her she says. “I chose the Mount because of its size, and I like to to speak for their baccalaureate class at commencement. point out the advantages of a small campus.” And as she graduated from the Mount in May 2007, Through the Women’s Leadership Program, Hernandez Sundermeier already had a plan for that future in mind: has been empowered to find and use her own voice. “I pursuing a master’s in theological studies at Loyola learned in our leadership and women’s studies course that I Marymount University in the fall. have a voice,” she says. “And I look forward to using it.” And partly through her leadership work as a school ambassador, so will the young women entering the Mount right behind her.
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68592 themount.indd Sec1:21 7/10/07 4:06:30 PM campaign update
Fletcher Jones Foundation Contributes to Doheny Parking UniHealth To Fund Structure, Residence Hall ADN-to-MSN ount St. Mary’s received a $500,000 gift in April from The Fletcher Jones Nurse Program MFoundation to help fund construction of a parking structure and residence he UniHealth Foundation will hall on the College’s downtown Doheny Campus. Taward the Mount $518,939 This is the foundation’s second gift to the Invest in the Mount campaign. The to create an ADN-to-MSN Bridge foundation first awarded money to the campaign in 2005, giving $500,000 to Program. A response to California’s augment its already established endowed scholarship fund. nursing faculty shortage, this Other foundations have also supported the parking structure in the last two new program will accelerate the years, including the Fritz Burns Foundation, which awarded a $2.5 million grant development of nurse educators by toward the project, and the Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation, which contributed focusing on experienced RNs who $1 million. have only achieved their associates The new structure will have three levels of parking and will add an estimated degree (ADN). To accommodate 150 parking spaces to the campus. the working adults who are most qualified for advanced study, the bridge program will consist of year- round evening and weekend classes, allowing ADN graduates to achieve their master’s degrees in as little as three years. The program will include modified baccalaureate courses and will pay special attention to professional development issues to ensure a smooth transition from the field into teaching positions. While strongly focused on the creation of nurse educators, the ADN- to-MSN Bridge Program will also allow students to choose from specialized tracks focused on leadership, clinical nurse specialist, and community health studies. All tracks share a set of core courses such as physical assessment, A Walk to Remember theoretical nurse models, and nursing his fall, Mount St. Mary’s College will issues that will qualify graduates to Tdedicate the Adams Art Walk on the teach in higher education. All tracks Doheny Campus. Located between Building will also cover standard protocols for 5 and the new parking facility, the walkway master’s level nursing and knowledge will include several works of art (shown related to theoretical models, right) as well as extensive landscaping. including the Roy Adaptation Model, Made possible by the generosity of Trustee the hallmark of Mount nurses. David Adams through the Adams Fund, the The College will launch the walkway is named for brothers Morgan program in the fall 2008. Adams Jr. (David’s father) and James (Peter) H. Adams II, who lived at 21 Chester Place in the 1920s with their parents, Morgan Adams and Aileen McCarthy.
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68592 themount.indd Sec1:22 7/3/07 5:34:06 PM campaign update
— $4,000,000 Goal
— $2,000,000
2007 Senior Class Bids Farewell, Exceeds Class Gift Challenge eneath the Tiffany-glass domed ceiling of the Pompeian Room at the Doheny BMansion, members of the Class of 2007 gathered on April 27 at the Senior Farewell Dinner. Celebrating the culmination of student life at the Mount, the seniors shared memories and recounted all the many experiences they have had over the last four years. — $0 The Haiwaiian-themed event featured an array of speakers, starting with an official welcome to the Mount Alumnae Association by fellow alum board member Be Counted Sharon Leahy ’60. Helen Boutrous, assistant professor of political science, also t press time, Mount alumnae offered the students some parting advice: “Enjoy life,” she said. “Move forward, Aand friends had donated try new things, and be humble.” more than half of the $4 million Senior Senator Virginia Guevara and her Athenian Committee capped off the fundraising goal set by The event with the announcement that the Class of 2007 had raised more than $9,000 Kresge Foundation’s recent toward the Mount Fund’s Athenian Club Challenge. According to committee challenge grant to the College. members Marisol Delgadillo, Heather Lindquist, Mia Mitchell, and Vanessa Serrano, This “all or nothing” grant calls this total surpasses the previous senior class record—in part because of their upon everyone in the Mount appeals to give to the College and future students. As they noted, community to participate and • Annual tuition does not cover the full cost of a Mount education. Each year, a give what they can to help raise portion is subsidized through the generosity of alumnae donors. $4 million by June 30, 2008, • Every individual gift is counted in the alumnae participation total that is at which point the foundation supplied to U.S. News and World Report, which enhances the Mount’s national will award the College another ranking and increases the value of a Mount degree in the marketplace. $1 million. • Every single dollar given as part of the Athenian Club Challenge will be matched The Mount needs alumnae and “3 to 1” by an anonymous donor—which means the Class of 2007’s gift of friends to donate to the Mount $9,000 will bring an additional $27,000 to the College. before June 30, 2008, to meet As the graduating seniors said themselves, what better way to commemorate the $1 million challenge grant their College experience than by giving back time and financial resources? from The Kresge Foundation. To give now, contact Melissa You, too, can help meet the Mount Fund’s Athenian Club Challenge—a 3-to-1 Salazar, director of annual giving, challenge for graduates of the last decade. Go to www.msmcalums.la.edu/ at 213.477.2537 or go to www. athenianclub or contact Melissa Salazar, director of annual giving, at 213.477.2537. msmcalums.la.edu/mountfund.
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68592 themount.indd Sec1:23 7/10/07 4:06:41 PM alum community
welcome
By now, you will have received your Alumnae Survey. Your prompt response is greatly appreciated. We want to celebrate your accomplishments, showcase alum achievements for prospective students, assess our academic programs, and make connections between alums new and old. Questions? Contact Jeanne Redell Ruiz ’63, director of alumnae relations, at jruiz@msmc. la.edu or call 213.477.2769. You can also find the survey online at www.msmcalums.la.edu/survey. The Golden Grads of 1957 celebrate at the Baccalaureate Mass, May 2007.
’59 Judith Merino Light has taken eight class notes Marilyn Ball Carvin was a to 12 international trips a year during representative to the National the last five years. One highlight ’51 Voluntary Organizations Active in was holding a one-year-old panda in Evelyn Kraemer Francuz and Disaster Conference in Albuquerque, Chendu, China. her husband celebrated their 50th N.M. She continues to tutor for the wedding anniversary in August 2006. World Literacy Crusade in Compton ’65 and encourages others to get CERT Nancy Reiley Morgan passed the Gerry Biggs McGrath celebrated (Community Emergency Response two tests for state licensure to become 52 years as choir director at her Team) training. a marriage and family therapist last parish, has 18 grandchildren, recently December. welcomed twin great-grandsons on ’61 her 75th birthday—and still finds time Mary Collins Pizzorno and her ’66 to remain active in Kappa Gamma Pi, husband frequently visit their new Anne Splingaerd Megowan the national graduate honors society granddaughter in Northville, Miss. has finished her manuscript, The of Catholic colleges. Belgian Mandarin, after 13 years. ’63 The book is about the life of her ’52 Marion Menges Crowe’s book, great-grandfather, Paul Splingaerd, Eileen Micklish Hempfling writes Aiming at Heaven, Getting the Earth: an orphan who went to China with that her only claim to fame on Google The English Catholic Novel Today, was Belgian missionaries in 1865 and later is that she is listed in the Mount’s published in May by Lexington Books. became a top-ranking mandarin. Honor Roll of Donors. She thinks that is a good way to be remembered. Peggy Carr Friese recently retired ’67 from St.Vincent Medical Center after Linda Murrow is employed as a ’57 15 years as a pastoral associate in public school nurse working with Barbara Terpening McGourty the chaplain office, working with severely emotionally disabled students, toured Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and oncology and transplant patients. She grades K-12. Brazil with her husband in fall 2006. currently has 17 grandchildren.
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68592 ThemountR1.indd Sec1:24 7/11/07 4:58:12 PM alum community
Mary Lou Starr Vanderlip retired Marie Van Blaricom Maitrepierre State University and accepted a job at from LAUSD last June after teaching and her husband are fi nally retiring to Providence Hospice of Seattle. and working in the district office southwestern France, near Bordeaux, for 39 years. She continues to work after 17 years in Bergen County, N.J. ’75 as a consultant with the Elementary Alice Gardello took a trip to New Reading Program. She is also the ’69 England and eastern Canada in liturgy coordinator at St. John Eudes Maureen Peverada Chris continues summer 2006. Church in Chatsworth, Calif. to teach second grade in Orange County and spends time golfing at her ’76 ’68 second home in Palm Desert, Calif. She Ellen Weisenberg Blackstock Donna Faker and her husband, Tom, has two grandchildren and another is now an RN case manager for both retired in 2003. She enjoys caring on the way. She and her husband Huntington Hospital Senior Care for her granddaughter part time and celebrated their 38th wedding Network, providing services in the participating in Habitat for Humanity anniversary in July. San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys to building projects. seniors on Medi-Cal. She is part of a Kathleen Minnick Rossi is a group of Mount nurses (Mary Barish Barbara Gutierrez is the assistant grandmother of two boys. Byers, Nancy Izzo Cecconi, Arlene superintendent of LAUSD’s Early Dominguez Genzel, Virginia Maes Childhood Education Division. She ’70 Healey, Faith Croghan Jones, leads staff and partners to provide Linda Leggett Oldenkamp and her Maureen McCoy Sanders, Debbie early education programs for 31,000 husband cruised through the Panama Wardein Schilens, Kathleen McCoy preschoolers from infants to 4 years Canal last May and are now spending Seymour, and Liza Pighin Wallace) of age. time with their first grandchild. She is who have stayed in touch for almost currently an ESL tutor at a junior high 30 years. Kathy Villar Jacinto is getting used school. to the empty nest after raising four Susan Odegaard-Turner is working children. Being assistant principal at ’72 as the statewide nursing executive Chatsworth Park Elementary School Mary Kathryn Durando is a Staff for the California Department of does help fill up her time, but her Nurse IV and has been a mainstay of Corrections and Rehabilitation. She most enjoyable role is that of first- the Stanford University Medical Center oversees 7,500 healthcare and nursing time grandma! Emergency Room for the past 28 years. staff as part of the team appointed She was recently interviewed by the by the federal court to manage Mary MacDonald Koenig enjoyed Palo Alto Daily News about changes healthcare operations. traveling to Scandinavia and singing she has seen in emergency room care. in cathedral churches in Sweden and ’78 Denmark in summer 2006. ’74 Cynthia Przytula started working Kristine Kosak, after being seriously with Sierra Nevada Job Corps in Kathy Macek took early retirement ill for five years, recently started law 2006 and was recently promoted to in July 2006 from her job at the Getty school at Ventura College of Law. Learning Resource Center coordinator. Research Institute. In late August, she began a master of divinity degree Kristine Klumph Bounds and her Karen Ward retired after six years at the Church Divinity School of husband are excited about becoming on the Board of Directors of the the Pacific in Berkeley, Calif. Upon grandparents. She works as a nurse in Orange County Wine Society. She completion, she hopes to be ordained the Emergency Department at Encino has completed the University of to the priesthood in the Episcopal Hospital. California Cooperative Extension Church. Master Gardener program and is now Janet Fisher Petersen completed her a certifi ed master gardener. RN refresher course at Washington
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’80 Stacy Connors continues to work as a nurse anesthetist and has a Cabernet vineyard in Paso Robles, Calif., with her husband, a retired physician.
Gina Poli Hsiung and her husband celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in May, and June marks her 23rd year at the CSUN library where she is the cataloguing manager.
’82 Lisa Kimble Edmonston, a former Emmy-winning television news reporter, is a writer for Bakersfield Life Magazine. She hopes to return to television on a limited basis soon. Faith Croghan Jones ‘76 (left) and Ellen Weisenberg Blackstock ‘76 at Homecoming 2006 ’84 Suzanne Weber Hoffman has Reunion Alert — Save the Date! been with Boeing for 21 years and was recently promoted to executive Who: Reunions this year are for the Classes of 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1987, director for major subcontracts for the 1992, 1997, and 2002 with special attention to the Silver Anniversary Class of C17 program in Long Beach, Calif. 1982 which is celebrating its 25th anniversary!
’86 When: Reunions will be celebrated at Homecoming on Saturday, October 13, Sylvie Raoux is currently working as 2007, at the Chalon Campus. a language arts teacher at a middle school in San Bernardino, Calif. Volunteer Opportunity: Join your Class Reunion Committee and encourage your classmates to attend. To help make your reunion a smashing success, ’88 contact Jeanne Ruiz, director of alumnae relations, at 213.477.2769 or jruiz@ Brother Kevin Berntson was msmc.la.edu. ordained an interfaith minister in 2005 and works at Holy Cross Ecumenical Institute of the Arts, a peace and ’90 and community organizations to help justice secondary education program. Diana Gleason Blackwell has moved low-income and minority communities to Auckland with her New Zealand- through philanthropic activities. Caryn Ruiz Nadeau was recently born husband and two children. named assistant vice president in the Valerie Krause is teaching corporate training and development Jane France Cook is chief utilization kindergarten at Walt Disney School in department of Union Bank of manager of Tricare Asia in Seoul, Anaheim, Calif. California. South Korea. Lisa Marie Tapia recently became ’89 Leslie Cunnigham was the MC for an administrative law judge for Rose Jacobs-Meltzer is now on the the Greenlining Institute’s 14th Annual the Illinois Commerce Commission, board of Bethune Theatredanse— Economic Summit in April 2007. The presiding over matters involving Infinite Dreams and of New Directions. summit brought together corporate deregulation of public services.
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’91 Joy Di Palma’s marketing company, ’97 Christianne Bishop received her SWIFT Enterprises, has recently Tasha Owens Houston is now a real M.D. from Creighton University in produced several award-winning estate agent, certified appraiser, and 1998 and is completing a second feature film and television campaigns. mobile notary/loan signing agent. She residency in family medicine. She also She also started a personal training lives in Long Beach, Calif., with her plans to complete a fellowship in business called Trainer Joy. husband and 3-year-old son. geriatrics. ’95 Rachel Belanger Keller keeps Tracy Oatis is currently working as Melanie S. Cross has received busy as a mother of two boys and a special education nurse in a local certification as an oncology and as a Clinical Nurse III at Cedars- LASUD district and plans to become a advanced medical-surgical nurse. Sinai Medical Center where she has secondary school nurse. She is also clinical director of health worked for 10 years. She credits her promotion for Special Olympics outstanding nursing education at the Cathy Sanchez-Latin is currently International. Mount with the wonderful career working at USC’s University Hospital as choices she has been afforded. the liver transplant social worker. ’96 Alejandra Ceja is now the senior Kathryn Lake has just been accepted Leticia Rodriguez-Davis is teaching budget and appropriations advisor into a nurse practitioner master’s fifth grade in Chandler, Ariz. She and to Chairman George Miller with program at Clemson University in her husband just returned from a trip the House Committee on Education South Carolina. to Barcelona, Spain. and Labor, after working for seven years in the White House Offi ce of ’98 ’92 Management and Budgets. Noemi Urgiles is currently the acting David Wright is married, has three supervisor with the Specialized Foster boys, and is living in Concord, Calif., Lynne Dastous-Morse has just Care Program in Los Angeles County. where he teaches music for the Mt. finished covering the role of Micaela She also started a foundation for Diablo Unified School District. in Carmen and Nedda in I Pagliacci for children in Peru. the Virginia Opera. Theresa Yugar recently received ’99 a doctoral grant of $16,000 from Maria Garcia was promoted to HR Varsana Staszak interned during the Hispanic Theological Initiative manager at Urban Science in Long summer 2004 at the Oxford Centre located in Princeton, N.J. She is Beach, Calif. for Hindu Studies and then studied currently finishing her first year of for a year at Bhaktivedanta College in doctoral work at Claremont Graduate Valerie Kenna has a new position Belgium. She met her future husband University. This grant is given to as master scheduler with Natural in Belgium and was married in Prague individuals committed to the Hispanic Alternatives International. in 2006. They spent last year in community in both pastoral ministries Bordeaux, France, and helped open an and education. Jack Knight was recently appointed Indian cultural center and restaurant. to the Board of Catholic Charities CYO They are expecting their first baby ’94 for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. in October and plan to divide their Evelyn Cernadas Card was recently In June, he left the board of Westside time between Europe and Southern named one of 2007’s 20 Noteworthy Community Services, having served as California. Women by Connecticut Business Times treasurer and president. magazine. As the media spokesperson for Gateway Community College, she leads a centralized public relations division that serves the entire college.
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Tenney Thomas has been living and working in Colorado for the past three years as a public health nurse/home visitor at Boulder County Nurse-Family Partnership, working with first-time moms. She has a 4-year-old son and plans to move to France next year.
Vicky Yamamoto started a doctoral program last fall at the Keck School of Medicine at USC in the Institute for Stem Cell, Regenerative Medicine, and Biochemistry. She expects to graduate in 2010.
’00 Kara Barnett, a mother of two, works as a director at a start-up clinic called Mission Valley Physical Therapy and Hand Center, which focuses on orthopedics, aquatics, and pain management.
Erin Reagan Emshwiller and her husband just welcomed their second daughter. After six years in the clinical The mellow tones of the Amber Weekes Trio set the mood at the 5th Annual research fi eld, she is a stay-at-home Alum Wine Tasting. Vocalist Shelli Amber Weekes (left) is a 1984 Mount mom and lives in the suburbs of alumna. Chicago.
Adrianna Salazar started a new Joan Fletcher Valdez moved to for foster youth and is part of San job last September as a high school Yucaipa, Calif., and is teaching middle Diego’s Juvenile Court and Community Spanish teacher at Summit View school in Palm Springs, Calif. Schools District. School, which serves students with special needs, primarily learning ’02 Julianne Tran is enrolled in the disabilities, autism, and Asperger’s Meghan Moore has been teaching Family Nurse Practitioner Program at syndrome. She is also working on her second grade at a Catholic elementary CSULB. special education credential through school in San Diego for the past five CSUN. years and next year will teach fifth ’03 grade at the same school. Vanessa Sevilla Castellon has been ’01 teaching kindergarten for the past Ursula Gaines is a stay-at-home mom Melissa Pineda has started a general four years in the Perris Elementary with 10-month-old triplets, two girls surgery internship at UCSF. School District. and a boy. She also has a two-year- old daughter. With the 700 diapers a Natalie Priester is teaching English Evelyn E. Espinoza is currently a month, she has lots of full-time help and coaching volleyball at San Pasqual registered psychological assistant at and family support. Academy in Escondido, Calif. The Healing Through Play and La Familia. academy is a residential high school She will begin working at Children’s
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Institute International as a registered Sarah E. Moe started a new job ’99 Robert Roman to Angela Tello psychologist to obtain the hours for as manager of political affairs and Saldana, 2nd child, 1st son licensure. federal relations at Property Casualty ’00 Madeline Luz to Regina Bills- Insurers Association of America in Dacong, 2nd child Geovanna Henao is completing her Washington, D.C. ’00 Ana Elizabeth to Erin Reagan doctorate in organizational consulting Emshwiller, 2nd child, 2nd from Phillips Graduate Institute. ’05 daughter Selma Cuya is working as a research ’00 Felicity “Jeanna” Bethany Aquino Delores Lucero Lara gave birth associate at City of Hope National to Aimee Jade Sison, 3rd child, 1st to daughter, Angelina Frances, in Medical Center in Duarte, Calif. daughter October. Angela was born at 29 weeks, ’01 Triplets Claire, Cathy, and weighing 2 lbs 13 oz. but is now doing Victoria Ortiz is a faculty member of Alexander, to Ursula Gaines, 2nd, fine. the University of Phoenix’s College of 3rd, and 4th children, 2nd and 3rd Nursing and Human Services. daughters and 1st son Lovelyn Marquez-Prueher had ’01 Teresa Yvonne “TY” to Marisa her memoir, “A Journey Towards ’06 Reyes Lozano Understanding and Acceptance,” Francis Jacobo has been accepted ’03 Angelina Frances to Delores published by AuthorHouse in The into the Columbia University master’s Lucero Lara, 2nd child, 2nd WriteStuff Writers’ “Golden Journey”: program in broadcast journalism. daughter A Collection of Prize Winning Short ’03 Sienna and Olivia, twins, to Stories 2006. Adrianna Barragan Viera, 3rd two by two and 4th children, 1st and 2nd Stephanie Sampson Nocita is the daughters business relationship manager for The Alumnae Association extends best ’04 Emanuel Angel to Maria California Business Banking. She was wishes to the following alums and Rodriguez Guerrero, 1st child ranked the No. 1 Business Relationship their spouses: Manager in California and was ’70 Marcia Broaddus Niessen and presented with the Wells Fargo Michael Greiten requiescant National Sales and Service Award in ’00 Florentina Rosales and Cesar Honolulu in May 2006. Echevarria Your prayers are requested for the ’02 Julianne Tran and David Trinh repose of the souls of: Elsa Pazmino recently became ’03 Vanessa Sevilla and Michael ’40 Margaret McConnell Rendler engaged at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Castellon ’44 Mildred Barry Creamer ’05 Suly Garcia and Yasser Abdalla ’45 Onriette Lebrun King ’04 ’48 son of Mary Jane McGrath April Aguirre has been accepted Craycroft to New York University’s Journalism by-lines ’50 Frances Hills Sorrentino Program for a master’s of arts in ’54 husband of Milania Austin Henley journalism-magazine writing. The Alumnae Association extends ’55 husband of Rosemary Brunet congratulations to the following Giacomi Dior Kuykendall Hildebrand, a alums and their spouses on the birth ’56 Ying Kwan Lew public health nurse community liaison, of their children: ’57 Nora Martin Hepp spoke at the American Planning ’88 Jon Louis to Lorinda Guzman ’57 Francine Gazvoda McDonough Associates National Conference in Gomes, 2nd child, 1st son ’58 mother of Fae Falvo Philadelphia about the correlation ’92 Jason Scott to Laura Leingang ’61 Mary Weber Succuro between the built environment (land Freeman, 3rd child, 3rd son ’62 husband of Sue Donovan Manzo use) and community health. ’99 Clarissa Marie to Yolanda Leal ‘63 father of Nance Slattery Limon, 3rd child, 3rd daughter ’64 brother of Mary Couture Killmond
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’65 mother of Carrie Ann Skirlick ’98 Regina Pontes, MBA, New York name of the institution granting the Blackaller Institute of Technology degree. In order to keep this feature ’66 husband of Erica Mauz Dowd ’98 Cristina Solis, MA in education, current, please do not go back any ’66 Mary Ellen Gallagher Columbia University, October further than four years or send ’69 mother of Maureen Peverada 2006 information that has already appeared Chris ’98 Noemi Urgiles, PsyD in clinical in Class Notes. ’73 father of Sr. Michelle Clines, OCD psychology, California School of ’74 Marta Vazquez Professional Psychologists, May ’76 husband of Christina Corella 2003 Stay on the Cutting Edge Cirelle ’99 Melissa Mendiola, MA in Login to Mount AlumLine to: ’81 Karyn Kroll Schmitz international and multicultural • find out the latest on ’83 Jann Kraus literature for children and alum activities ’97 mother of Connie Carlson adolescents, University of San • RSVP to alum events ’05 aunt of Agasia Lanier Francisco, December 2006 • update your personal They will be remembered in the ’00 Brigette Lizarraras, MBA, information Masses, prayers, and good works of University of Phoenix, 2006 • chat online the Sisters of St. Joseph. ’01 Sharina Shields, JD, Whittier Law • make a gift to MSMC School, 2004 To login, go to: www.msmcalums. ’02 Melissa Pineda, MD, Eastern la.edu; you will need your Alum advanced degrees Virginia Medical School, May 2007 ID#. You can find it directly ’02 Eneyda Reynoso, MA in clinical above your name on the address The Alumnae Association psychology, Pepperdine University, panel of this magazine. congratulates the following alums on May 2007 their successful pursuit of intellectual ’03 Geovanna Henao, MA in Email Update achievement: psychology, Pepperdine University, Make sure we have your current ’67 Linda Robson Murrow, MS in 2005 email address, so we can stay education with an emphasis on ’03 Evelyn E. Espinoza, MA & PsyD in touch. counseling, human relations, in clinical psychology, California Northern Arizona University, School of Professional Psychology Alumnae Legacy Grant December 2003 at Alliant International University, Alum offspring are entitled to a ‘84 Ruth Brown Sanborn, MA in December 2005 $1,000 grant, renewable every religious studies, MSMC, May ’03 Veronica Leon, MEd in curriculum year upon enrolling at MSMC. 2007 and instruction with an emphasis It’s an alumnae perk. To apply, ’90 Valerie Kraus, MS in special in bilingual education, University contact Alumnae Relations. education, MSMC, May 2004 of Maryland, College Park, May ’91 Cathy Sanchez-Latin, MSW, 2007 Alum Privilege Card University of Southern California, ’04 Sarah Moe, MA in international You need this card to use the 2006 commerce and policy, George Mount fitness centers or ’92 David Wright, MA in music, Mason University, School of Public libraries. Login to AlumLine California State University, East Policy, 2007 (web address above) and click Bay, June 2003 ’05 Louinn Marie Lota, MA in on Alum Privilege Card on the ’94 Karen Carbajal, MS in secondary education, Loyola left-hand navigation bar. gerontology, University of La Marymount University, May 2007 Verne, March 2007 Questions? ’95 Claudia Valencia Ortiz, MS in NOTE: We are proud of all of our Call Alumnae Relations at reading, Walden University, April alums and are happy to showcase your 213.477.2767. 2005 academic achievements. Please let us ’98 Giovanna Brasfield, EdD and DPA, know when you receive an advanced University of La Verne, May 2007 degree and include the date and the
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travel to the Middle East as often as I can, to see old friends, to make new ones, to renew my contact with a place that I love. What is happening now in the Middle East is profoundly disturbing, to me and to others who see the great potential of the region consumed by a cycle of endless violence. From Palestine to Tehran, from Kabul to Sana’a, the Middle East is in turmoil, beset with unresolved fundamental problems such as resource scarcities, unemployment, overpopulation, corruption, and inadequate governments—problems long ignored and now compounded by foreign occupation and the ethnic and religious divisions that have been stirred to life and whipped to a frenzy. All of this contributes to skewed perspectives of the Middle East and a cycle of questionable political A Time for Peace decisions that have had disastrous results. By Mary Erschoen Morris ’62 About 20 years ago, while traveling in Jordan, I was invited into a Bedouin his year marks the 45th anniversary Oman. I learned a lot at the Mount tent for tea. The women in the tent, Tof my graduation from the Mount. in Dr. Oard’s history classes (I think I tattooed and veiled, did not speak I have traveled a long way from the still hold the record for most classes English, nor was my Arabic very 21-year-old student who, not having taken from him) as well as from Dr. good. But we spoke to each other the foggiest idea of what she wanted Delahanty’s political science classes. with gestures and smiles, and we left to do with her life, went to graduate Neither of them focused on the each other richer for the experience. I school as a refuge. After teaching Middle East, but they taught me how believe we can still talk to each other, (badly) at a diocesan high school and to think about things, how to separate Americans and Arabs, Christians, Jews, working for a year as a social worker out emotion from facts, how to put and Muslims, in a desert tent or across (even worse), I eventually stumbled events into context, how to weigh a conference table. But I also feel a into a job that became a career at the consequences of actions. When it sense of urgency, because time, even RAND Corporation. comes to the Middle East, assessing in this ancient and timeless land, may I had the opportunity to work with the consequences is critical. finally be running out. world-class researchers and scholars at I left RAND several years ago, and RAND. Eventually, I got an opportunity I now work at the Los Angeles World Mary Erschoen Morris ’62 is the vice to work on a research project that led Affairs Council as vice president and president and director of programs to a whole new world: I discovered director of programs. My primary at Los Angeles World Affairs Council. the Middle East, with its complex interest is still the Middle East, and I Pictured above, Morris visits the Rub’al history and stunning contrasts, from continue to lecture and write about Khali (the Empty Quarter) in the the squalor of refugee camps in the the place that fascinates me more United Arab Emirates on a recent trip West Bank to the pristine coastline of than anywhere else. I continue to to the Emirates and Oman.
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JOIN US...
on September 29, for “A Big Band Evening Under the Stars!” Hosted by the College and its Regents Council, this event will celebrate 55 years of MSMC nursing excellence and raise money for nursing scholarships. For more information, see the story on page 3 and the ad on page 17. You can also contact Heather Schraeder, director of special events, at 213.477.2761 or [email protected].
on October 13, to celebrate “Mount Connections—Then and Now,” at Homecoming. This year’s event will include class reunions, Founders Mary Chapel, Chalon Campus Day Mass, tours of new and upgraded Chalon Campus october facilities, and the presentation of the 2007 Outstanding Alumnae 12 Alumnae Concert, Doheny Mansion, 310.954.4265 Awards and the first-ever Rising 13 Homecoming, Alumnae Relations, 213.477.2767 Star Award. 13 Doheny Mansion Public Tours, 213.477.2962 14 Opening Reception for Artist Laura Hernandez, Art Department, 310.954.4361 20 “Spirituality and Justice” Seminar, Doheny Spirituality Center, 213.747.6508 27 Osiris Piano Trio, Doheny Mansion, Da Camera Society, 213.477.2929, www. The following calendar dacamera.org represents only some 27 Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit and Lunch, Alumnae Relations, 213.477.2767 of the events at Mount St. Mary’s College. For more up-to-date listings, visit november www.msmc.la.edu and click on “Calendars.” 15 Spring Semester Application Deadline for Master’s Programs, Graduate For alumnae events, visit Admissions, 213.477.2800 www.msmcalums.la.edu. december
1 Application Deadline for Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program (Fall 2008), 213.477.2800 7 Christmas Choral Concert, 310.954.4265 8 Spring Semester Application Deadline for Weekend College, 213.477.2866
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68592 themount.indd Sec1:32 7/3/07 5:34:44 PPMM from the archives
1949
These students were among the first to enjoy a refreshing dip in the Chalon Campus pool, constructed in 1949.
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68592 themount.indd Sec1:33 7/10/07 4:07:09 PM NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID LOS ANGELES, CA PERMIT NO 22801
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Flora of Mount St. Mary’s College
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